Sea Shepherd
Conservation Society
22774 Pacific Coast Hwy.
Malibu, CA 90265
Tel:(310) 456-1141
Fax:(310) 456-2488
Oceanic Research & Conservation Action Force

Sea Shepherd
Conservation
Society
22774 Pacific Coast Hwy.
Malibu, CA 90265
Tel:(310) 456-1141
Fax:(310) 456-2488

Mission: To end illegal fishing activities in the Galapagos Islands.
WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW TO SAVE THE GALAPAGOS
Sea Shepherd and the Galapagos National Park Service are now fighting poachers to protect the Marine Reserve. But that's not all we're fighting...and because of that, doing this job and winning this fight is going to require the help of everyone reading this.
The situation now in the Galapagos could not be more tense, nor the stakes higher: The moment when the world either succeeds or fails in the effort to save one of the planet's most precious and unique ecosystems may be at hand. Beginning in the early 90s, a "gold rush" to the archipelago from the Ecuadorian mainland and a high-paying Asian
clientele for shark fins and sea cucumbers established a get-rich-quick ethic that began taking a heavy toll. Ecuador's powerful commercial fishing sector is accustomed to getting its way in the Galapagos. When it doesn't, fishermen have rioted, killed Galapagos tortoises, shot Park rangers, and gutted and burned Park facilities and research stations until the government relented and allowed ever-higher levels of exploitation in the Marine Reserve. More commonly, the fishing sector's friends - and often financial partners - in the government and the military have been happy to overlook the laws protecting the Galapagos from exploitation, on request. Despite heavy opposition, in 1998, the government managed to pass the Law on the Special Regime for the Conservation
and Sustainable Development of Galapagos Province -- also known as "The Special Law for Galapagos."

The Galapagos Marine Reserve was declared a protected area extending 40 miles offshore, with stringent penalties established for violators. After assisting at the clean-up of January's tanker spill, on March 7 the Sea Shepherd International patrol boat Sirenian became the first foreign-flagged vessel to be allowed to patrol in the Galapagos Marine Reserve. IN JUST FIVE DAYS, working in cooperation with the Galapagos National Park Service, Sirenian apprehended three commercial fishing vessels inside the Marine Reserve, and a fourth was seized by a Park Service patrol vessel. Elements of the Ecuadorian military immediately ordered two of the ships released without investigation, fine, or forfeiture. The third was released a few days later. A decision on prosecution of the remaining vessel is pending. It was business as usual -- with one difference: Sea Shepherd immediately broadcast the outrage to the international media. And we named names. http://www.seashepherd.org/campaigns/galapagos/onsitereport31501.html

FOR THE FIRST TIME, business as usual in the Galapagos is getting a global airing, in broad daylight. The most watched television news magazine in Ecuador will be airing the story later this month. WE HAVE THE CHANCE to make the laws work -- laws demanded by the people of Ecuador to protect their natural
heritage, which is also the world's heritage. The courage of the rangers of the Galapagos National Park Service and Sea Shepherd volunteers in this situation cannot be overstated: They are going up against big money and powerful, entrenched interests with a history of violence. They are putting their lives on the line to protect one of the planet's last best places. They need to know that the international community is behind them. We have a window of possibility for a great victory for the forces of conservation. But that victory, as well as the lives of some brave people, depends on everyone reading these words taking the time to let Ecuador know that the world is watching. Remind the government:

They MUST NOT tie the hands of the Galapagos National Park Service in prosecuting violators caught in the Marine Reserve They MUST enforce the Special Law for the Galapagos

They MUST NOT allow government and military officials to peremptorily order the release of captured trawlers. Ecuador has a BIG economic stake in protecting the Galapagos, which accounts for US$ 70 million annually in foreign exchange earnings.

For single-click e-activism:
Urgent Action for the Galapagos
CALL, E-MAIL, FAX & MAIL:
Senor Gustavo Noboa
Presidente de la Republica del Ecuador
Fax: 593-2-580-735
E-mail: despresi@presidencia.ec-gov.net

IN THE USA
Ivonne A-Baki
The Embassy of Ecuador
2535 15th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20009
Tel: 202- 234-7200
Fax 202- 667-3482
E-Mail: mecuawaa@erols.com

IN CANADA
The Embassy of Ecuador
50 O'Connor St., Suite 113
Ottawa, ON K1P 6L2
Tel: 613-563-8206
Fax: 613-235-5776

IN EUROPE
The Embassy of Ecuador
Koninginnegracht 84
2514 AL Den Haag, Netherlands
Tel: 31 -0- 70-3463-753